Second Chances at Samphire Bay (Samphire Bay Village #1)

Chapter 23

The pub was heaving. In typical Jack fashion, he had rounded up all their mates and Robin’s family for a big birthday bash at The Smugglers. Bunty was sat with Robin’s parents, looking in great form. The gin and tonics were going down great guns, being replenished by all and sundry.

Jasmine was due to arrive but had spent a couple of days at her mum and dad’s and would be a little late. She’d found it cathartic to meet up with them and Sam; they’d all shown anguish over the arrest of Tom’s killer and a heavy burden hung on all the family as they awaited the sentencing of Adrian Hall and Ian Dixon. Once that was over with, they would try to draw a line under the whole shocking nightmare, but they knew they would likely never fully heal from the deep wound of having a precious member of the family taken from them. What they could do was help Jasmine to move forward and by all accounts, that’s exactly what she appeared to be doing. Her parents were delighted by the progress she’d made on her cottage and Sam was most impressed to hear the garden studio was fully installed and in use.

‘You’ve certainly been very busy, love,’ remarked Jasmine’s mum. Then, couldn’t resist asking, ‘Have you had any more help from the next-door neighbour?’

Despite her mum’s casual tone, Jasmine could see straight through her. ‘Yes, actually I have,’ she replied with a wry smile at seeing her mum’s face light up.

‘Oh lovely! He sounds such a nice chap—’

‘Right, let’s put the kettle on,’ cut in Jasmine’s dad, preventing his wife from asking any further questions. He suspected his daughter could do without the third degree. Surprisingly though, Jasmine continued the conversation.

‘It’s Robin’s birthday today. We’re all meeting up in the pub tonight,’ she announced.

‘Who’s “we”?’ said Sam, just before her dad was about to ask the same question.

‘Me, Bunty, Jack, all their mates and family,’ Jasmine replied, happy to be growing her social circle and looking forward to the evening.

They exchanged glances. It sounded like Jasmine was really settling into Samphire Bay.

‘Good,’ her dad said with a nod.

Later in the afternoon, Jasmine set off home. Her parents and brother stood at the bottom of the drive to wave goodbye in high spirits.

‘I think the move to Samphire Bay is doing her good,’ Sam stated, watching his sister’s Mini drive off down the road.

‘So do I,’ replied both parents in unison.

As Robin downed another pint, he glanced round the crowded pub. Still no Jasmine yet, he noticed. He was expecting her to come later but remained eager to see her walk through the door. Since the dinner party at Bunty’s, they hadn’t really had a chance to speak. He and Jack had worked flat-out, finishing off the downstairs of their cottage and, now that they had installed a fireplace in the living room and the kitchen diner was complete, it was just a case of sanding down and varnishing the floorboards before decorating the upstairs. Then the cottage would be ready to put on the market. A sadness crept into Robin when considering it. Soon he would no longer have a reason to be next door to Jasmine. Jack’s suggestion of him ‘putting his cards on the table’ and revealing his feelings sprung to mind, but not tonight. His head was already starting to spin a little from all the beer constantly being supplied.

‘Come on, Rob, sup up!’ chorused Jack and a few others, as they put yet another pint in front of him. Robin’s eyes glazed over as he tried to focus, then a voice that was all too familiar to him came from behind, stopping him in his tracks.

‘Happy birthday, Robin.’

As he turned, a pair of red lips met his mouth. His eyes widened, but the lips pressed harder, forcing Robin back towards the bar. He stumbled and managed to pull away. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand he stared into the face of the woman.

‘Ellie, what the hell are you doing here?’

Jasmine had seen it all. At the precise moment she had pushed the pub door open, she’d witnessed Robin and a dark-haired woman kissing. A jolt struck and her gut reaction was to walk straight out of the place. Nobody had even noticed her, so she left quietly without fuss. Trembling slightly, she sat on a bench outside and tried to steady herself. The last thing she’d expected to see was Robin kissing someone. Stupidly, she’d assumed he’d be glad to see her.

The woman with long, dark hair she recognised. It was the same person who had been spying on the cottages. Who was it? Then, she jumped at the rising voices from the side of the pub.

‘Get the hell out of here, Ellie!’

Jasmine quietly moved to the edge of the building and discreetly peeped her head round the corner. Jack had his hands on his hips, staring the woman down.

‘You can’t stop me being here,’ she said, her tone laced heavily with scorn. ‘Still looking out for Robin? He’s a big boy, Jack, and can look after himself.’

‘Robin can’t stand the sight of you,’ he replied with venom.

‘Really?’ came the sarcastic reply.

‘And there’s no way he wants you back,’ Jack rasped.

At this the woman gave a harsh laugh.

‘Well, we’ll see about that,’ she taunted, then turned her back and walked away.

Jasmine quickly returned to the bench and pulled out her phone, head bent down so as not to be noticed. She inconspicuously watched the woman strut past. She had an air of conviction about her; shoulders back, long legs in a short, red dress taking confident strides. So, this was the woman who had broken Robin’s heart. Judging from the sound of her, she hadn’t finished yet either.

Feeling a jumble of emotions she didn’t understand, Jasmine decided to go home. A strange anxiety had seeped into her, leaving her numb inside. Jasmine craved solace, yet also felt the need to be alone. So many questions whizzed round her head. Despite Jack telling Ellie Robin didn’t want her back, they had been kissing. She’d seen it with her own eyes. Did they still have unfinished business?

Walking back along the coastal path, for once the spectacular views didn’t lift her mood. All manner of thoughts and sensations passed through her as she plodded on, taking one step after the other until at last she reached her cottage, her haven. Once inside, she slammed the door shut on the whole evening.

Dear Bunty,

Where do I start? Firstly, by thanking you for contacting me. Not sure how you managed it, but I’m so pleased you did.

Life without you was tough, I’ll not lie, but I did manage to find happiness eventually. I met and married Valerie, but sadly lost her to breast cancer twelve years ago. Thankfully she left me a stepdaughter, Emma, my pride and joy. It’s Emma who’s always telling me to get out more. Easier said than done for an old sailor boy like me, but now, thanks to you, I find myself in a fortunate position. I’d love to meet up. The photograph you sent kick-started many fond memories we shared and it would be great to catch up and reminisce.

So, where and when Bunty? As ever, I’ll be guided by you.

Very best,

Perry

PS You made an excellent fortune teller BTW.

Bunty sat down with a huge beam on her face. Perry had replied! And, more importantly, he wanted to see her. The postscript at the bottom of the letter had made her giggle. He must have had access to the parish website and seen the snaps taken from the Tea by the Sea event. He was evidently ‘with it’ using the internet, and what did the abbreviation BTW mean? She’d have to ask Robin, or Jasmine. Since her stay, she and Jasmine had exchanged numbers and had often chatted on the phone. The two women were forming quite a bond. In fact, thought Bunty, she’d ring Jasmine now and let her know about Perry’s letter. Before doing so, she poured herself a generous gin and tonic, as a celebratory drink. It wasn’t every day you reconnected with a long-lost love.

Taking a pleasurable sip, Bunty closed her eyes in appreciation of the zesty fizz, then punched in Jasmine’s mobile number.

Jasmine was in her studio working when her phone bleeped into life. Quickly seeing who the caller was, she smiled at it being Bunty, despite wishing it had been someone else – Robin, mainly.

‘Darling, I have news!’ exclaimed Bunty.

‘Oh yes?’ Jasmine said with eagerness, hoping it was news on the Perry front.

‘He’s replied,’ she proclaimed with glee.

‘Bunty!’ gasped Jasmine in delight. ‘What did he write?’

‘That he wants us to meet.’

‘That’s fabulous!’ Jasmine gushed, truly happy for her. ‘When are you going to meet?’

‘He’s left it up to me,’ Bunty said, before adding, ‘he’s seen the photographs of me dressed up as gypsy Rosy-Lee.’

Jasmine laughed, finding it funny he’d looked her up before replying.

‘Hmm, what does “BTW” mean?’ asked Bunty.

‘Sorry?’

‘His letter says… hang on,’ she grabbed the letter. ‘“PS you made an excellent fortune teller BTW.”’

‘By the way,’ replied Jasmine with a grin, liking the sound of the man. He clearly wasn’t an old fuddy-duddy, using terminology like that and surfing the net. When she’d said as much to Bunty, she’d gone on to tell her about Perry’s stepdaughter, Emma.

‘She obviously keeps him young,’ Jasmine commented.

Bunty also went on to explain about Perry’s late wife.

‘Oh, that’s sad,’ said Jasmine, ‘but at least he’s had Emma in his life.’

More than I’ve had , thought Bunty with regret. Then, she forced herself to remain positive. She had to think about future arrangements with Perry, which prompted her to ask for advice.

‘Where do you think we should meet?’

‘Maybe somewhere neutral?’ suggested Jasmine.

‘Hmm…’ Bunty was racking her brains, after all she very rarely left Samphire Bay.

‘What about a tea shop in Lancaster? I could take you.’

‘Would you, darling? As moral support?’

‘Of course! After all you’ve done for me,’ replied Jasmine with gusto. ‘I don’t mind spending the day in Lancaster. I’ll drop you off, then make myself scarce until it’s time to come home.’

‘You’re sure?’

‘Yes, absolutely,’ Jasmine said firmly.

‘Oh thank you, darling. I’ll write back and tell him.’

Jasmine frowned. ‘You haven’t his number then?’

‘No, but then he hasn’t mine either,’ replied Bunty matter of factly.

‘Don’t you think you should exchange numbers? It’d be easier when meeting up.’

‘Sorry?’ said Bunty, a touch confused. My goodness, how would the youth of today cope without their mobile phones? It was as though they couldn’t exist without them. How did they think the likes of she and Perry managed all those years ago without one? Set the date, time and place and stick to it. Simple, to her mind.

‘Well, supposing something happens and one of you can’t make it?’ said Jasmine, equally bemused by Bunty’s apparent inability to grasp the obvious.

‘Like what?’

‘I don’t know!’ she laughed, finding Bunty’s obtuseness exasperating, then added for devilment, ‘FFS.’

There was a moment’s pause. Jasmine could almost hear the clogs ticking in Bunty’s head.

‘Sorry? FFS?’

Jasmine bent double, trying to keep the laughter in.

‘It’s another abbreviation,’ she replied, but couldn’t keep the humour out of her voice.

‘Oh I see,’ said Bunty suspecting she was the subject to ridicule. ‘I’ll look it up,’ she told her flatly.

‘You do that, and in the meantime, I’ll find a nice, cosy tea shop in Lancaster for you and Perry.’

‘Good. Thank you.’

‘BFN,’ replied Jasmine, unable to resist throwing out another acronym.

‘Oh stop!’ thundered Bunty before hanging up.

Jasmine burst into more giggles. But she stopped immediately upon seeing a certain woman with long dark hair walk past on the coastal road through her window. She got up from her desk and went into the garden. Scurrying to the hedge, she ducked down and watched Ellie brazenly stroll up next door’s path and knock on the back door. Jasmine’s eyes narrowed as she saw Robin answer. Then, with a heavy heart, she saw Ellie enter and the door close.